The Minor Heirs of James and Emilia McHann, Macon Co., NC

The following record begs the question as to why James McHann was appointed guardian of his own children after his wife’s death. One answer could be that the children were heirs to an estate received through their mother, possibly from her parents or other relatives, a fairly commonplace occurrence.

Minutes of Wednesday 23 Jay. 1840…

James McHann appointed Guardian of his minor heirs
viz: Marion[?], Ann, Sarah, Malindas[?] Birchet, &
Wilkie – who entered in to Bond & gave for SecurityTwo Hundred Dollars Saml. Bryson in the sum of two
hundred Dollars – and qualified as such
the above children are the minor heirs of Emilia McHann[?]
decd